15 tax deductions every freelancer should track

The single biggest tax mistake freelancers make is not missing a deduction — it's not having a receipt to back it up. Below are the categories that most often get left on the table, plus a simple system for keeping proof so you can claim them with confidence.

This is general information, not tax advice. Rules vary by country and situation — confirm with a local accountant before you file.

15 commonly missed deductions

1. Software subscriptions — design tools, accounting, project management, AI assistants.
2. Cloud storage and hosting — Google Workspace, Dropbox, web hosting.
3. Hardware — laptop, phone, monitor, camera (often depreciated, not expensed).
4. Home office — a proportion of rent, electricity, internet (if a dedicated workspace).
5. Phone and internet — the work-use portion.
6. Travel between client sites — mileage, public transport, parking.
7. Co-working memberships — day passes count too.
8. Education — courses, books, conference tickets directly related to your work.
9. Professional services — accountant, lawyer, virtual assistant.
10. Bank fees and payment processor fees — Stripe, PayPal, FX charges.
11. Insurance — professional indemnity, equipment, public liability.
12. Marketing — domain names, ads, business cards, portfolio site.
13. Industry memberships — guilds, unions, professional associations.
14. Stock assets — fonts, photos, music licences, templates.
15. Bad debt — unpaid invoices you've genuinely given up on.

The proof problem (and how to solve it)

Tax authorities don't want a bank statement — they want a receipt that names the supplier, the amount, the date, and what you bought. The simplest system: snap a photo of every paper receipt the moment you get it, and forward every email receipt to a single tagged folder.

Using FoxIn for receipts

Open the expenses module, snap a photo, and FoxIn's AI extracts the merchant, amount, and date for you. Categorise it, and at tax time you can export the lot to your accountant.